Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism

So I watched this last night and it has been stuck in my head pretty much all day. If you don't know this is inspired by a true story. It's also not a horror film! I hate that this is marked as a horror film. I was disturbed and very much sad by the end of the film. This is a perfect example of when a radical religion goes to far. I say radical because there are different types of Christianity. I was raised in a Southern Baptist Church and there is no way anyone would have condoned or thought that this was okay in the way this was handled. The sad part is I looked up and read the true story which IMO was far worse. I truly felt for Lara. Trauma is very misunderstood. It can cause worse mental illness if left untreated. I feel the secret which is unveiled closer to the end of the film was much more gutwrenching than I ever saw coming. I saw where the film was going once it got closer to the end and I didn't want too. From a technical aspect the film is stunning. The director does a beautiful job building up tension, and immediately sets up a story and lets you feel the dread* . The acting is wonderful. You feel for Lara, your frustrated with Ron as he makes decisions for his wife and you almost hate him but know he's just frustrated. Pretty much anyone from "The Church" ( if that's what you can even call this religious group) you immediately know something is quite off about all of them. The only happiness that is shown in this entire film is during the flashback to what happened that caused all this mess. During these scenes I felt deeply for Laura again because you can see the happiness in her life and how fast in a glimpse of a moment it's all taken away.

For anyone religious I encourage you to see this.

For anyone who likes true crime I encourage you to see it. It will make you think!

Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism is a fascinating film, It showcases disturbing suspense, one with a definite tone. The story is based on the the tragic events of a real life exorcism performed in a rural Australian community in the early 90's. Ron, (played by Dan Ewing) is a devout presbyterian, who believes his wife (played by Georgia Eyers) is showing signs of demonic possession. Slowly but surely the film ramps up the tension. The acting is fairly spot on with Georgia Eyers and Rosie Traynor personal standouts. It's genre blending approach to the subject matter is quite novel and kept me intrigued right up to the brutal climax.

@OverlookFilmFestival (Encore screening)

One of the hurdles that horror films need to clear is is keeping the viewer engaged when it's not "fright time" . That bar proves insurmountably high in "Godless," a confident if unpersuasive story about an exorcism sought out by a husband for his wife after she exhibits strange behavior.

Director Kozakis knows his way around visual language carefully constructing its confined spaces to create a sense of unease that shifts into stifling claustrophobia as the film descends into the madness of the situation.

Standout performances by lead Georgia Eyers and Dan Ewing who showcases a noteworthy portrayal of a quintessential flawed and toxic husband.

I'm sure this will not appeal to all due to its graphic nature but I found it thoroughly engaging and quite a tense experience.

*Warning: may leave you a little distraught and angry.

One of the best exorcism movies in my opinion because it has an immersive plot that actually invokes the viewers emotions and the movie is not just there for the jump scares. It was very well done and I liked the psychological horror in it too.

A film that gets the job done of creating emotionally enriched characters and a compelling themes. There are quality performances all around from a diverse cast, ranging from Eyers to Ewing, while deeply studying the manipulation of relationships with wonderful tension. I was absolutely blown away by how heavy this movie was. It sucks the breath right out of you, and never really let's you get it back.

#OVERLOOK23 This isn't an Exorcism movie...Not really.

All the trappings are there; a poor young female afflicted, cult like religious members, demonic imagery and of-course the exorcist themself. However, the film follows a narrative different from what we have come to expect from a studio style horror.

It's expectingly dark, brooding and horrific; But in director Nick Kozakis's hands, he has taken what might seem like a familiar tale and made it nuanced and gripping. It's more akin to a gritty drama from someone like fellow Australian Justin Kurzel (Nitram) - Proving itself more drama than a b-grade horror (like the title may suggest)

Aided by an impressive performance by actress Georgia Eyers who manages to convey so much with her eyes even when she's not talking. Cinematographer Carl Allison pulls off beguiling imagery; his use of shadow, light and dark does so much to convey a sense of foreboding and tension.

This is the most beautiful Exorcism movie you've ever seen-even if it's not really an 'exorcism movie' at all.